Suger of St. Denis

Title: Abbot

Alternate names/spellings:

Dates: 1081 - 1151 (Dates are approximate. ) 

Suger was the abbot of the monastery of St. Denis, a statesman, historian, and a patron of architecture. He began his monastic life at the age of 10 when he attended the monastic school at St. Denis, where one of his fellow students was the future King Louis IV ("the Fat") of France. Later, when he was appointed abbot of St. Denis, he worked to reform the abbey to conform to the Benedictine ideal. He was also an adviser to Louis IV, even serving as regent in Louis’ absence. He was a patron of architecture, and influential in the early development of the Gothic style. He also wrote several histories, which are of great value to historians today due to his close relationship to the events.

Further reading:

• "Wikipedia":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbot_Suger
• "Catholic Encyclopedia":http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14326a.htm
• "Saint-Denis: a town in the Middle Ages":http://www.saint-denis.culture.fr/en/2_4_suger.htm